WILDCARD REYNOLDS SAVES THE BEST FOR LASTDURBAN, South Africa (Tuesday, 3 July, 2007) – Durban`s New Pier became a fierce battle ground on day three of the 6-Star ASP World Qualifying Series Mr Price Pro, as top seeds and WQS hopefuls battled it out for the first taste of prize money on offer in the Men’s Round of 96.
Topping a day characterised by explosive performances and devastating upsets, ASP WQS No. 8 Dane Reynolds (USA) obliterated the final heat of the day to equal the highest heat score of the event so far.
Widely regarded as the world`s finest free surfer, Reynolds, who is also one of six wildcards in the event, held a captive audience with his tail sliding carves, explosive air reverse and vertical re-entries, posting two excellent scores, an 8.33 and an 8.83 (both out of a possible 10.00) for a combined two wave heat total of 17.16.
“I`m feeling good and this board is magic! I''m pretty excited to have the Mr Price wildcard because it`s hard starting from the first round. I got a good start so I definitely need a few more results. I just need to keep the nerves down and focus on one heat at a time,” said Reynolds who defeated Mason Ho (Hawaii), Hizunome Bettero (Brz) and Gabe Kling (USA).
WQS No. 9 Ben Bourgeois (USA) was not far behind him, the former ASP World Tour campaigner looked completely comfortable in the clean 1.5 meter waves on offer, his critical surfing earning him excellent 8.17 and 6.83 scores, to advance over Australian Rhys Bombaci and Brazil`s Heitor Pereira.
Early event standout Shaun Payne (St Francis Bay) made sure he remained in the limelight with another incredible performance, earning an excellent 8.50 ride for a controlled frontside air which he landed cleanly, to the applause of a fervent crowd.
“I`m very stoked, I was actually sitting in third before that wave, and I thought I`ve got to win this one! Making those airs is really all about my new board from Spider, I`m loving it,” Payne said, advancing into the Round of 48.
Former ASP World Tour contender David Weare (Durban) performed admirably before a home crowd, his usually stylish form punctuated by critical manoeuvres that were looked upon favourably by the judging panel. Weare advanced in 1st place ahead of WQS No. 6 Mikael Picon (France), WQS No. 3 Kieren Perrow (AUS) and Brett Simpson (USA).
“I knew I needed to finish off my waves strong, so I thought I would just go for broke, go a little bit bigger, a little more critical – and it paid off. Obviously it`s nice to make it through your first heat, hopefully I can improve and just surf a little better and make some more heats,” Weare said.
World No. 33 Royden Bryson (East London) looked determined to earn his first big result in Durban, the ASP World Tour rookie disposing of World No. 39 Shaun Cansdell (Aus), early event standout Blake Thornton (Aus) and Leandro Bastos (Brazil).
Heat 9 saw Durban`s explosive goofy footer Warwick Wright tear his home break apart with some powerful snaps, to take an early lead over fellow South African`s World No. 34 Greg Emslie (East London) and Antonio Bortoletto (Durban). Despite some notable surfing from Emslie, it was local knowledge that won the day, with Bortoletto sneaking into second to edge out the East Londoner.
Another major upset came in Heat 12 when defending Mr Price Pro Champion Ricky Basnett (Bluff) was eliminated from the event, finishing in fourth behind heat winner Jean da Silva, former ASP World Champion CJ Hobgood (USA) and Yadin Nicoll (Aus).
Failing to post more than a four point ride, Basnett finished the event in equal 73rd place, while da Silva and Hobgood advanced into the Round of 48.
“Ricky won last year, but who cares? It''s a new year now. I feel bad for the guy checking out so early, being the winner and all, but you never know what`s going to happen. I`ve had some good results and I just want to get some good points, see what happens here at this event,” da Silva said.
Competition resumes tomorrow with the remaining ten heats of the Men`s Round of 96 which will see WQS No. 1 Jordy Smith (Durban) feature in heat 16; and fellow South Africans World No. 12 Travis Logie and wildcard Clinton Gravett (East London) in heat 24.
The Mr Price Pro holds R1,075 Million in prize money and forms part of the Durban Beach Festival. It is being broadcast live on the webcast at www.mrpricepro.com.
